A Home Cook’s Guide to Buying Frozen King Prawns in the UK

Navigating the world of frozen king prawns online can feel like a chore. With terms like IQF, head-on and numbers like 16/20 on the packaging, it’s easy to feel unsure about what you’re actually buying. Are you getting good value? Are these the right prawns for your planned paella or quick weeknight stir-fry?

As the Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer, my role is to help you understand these details. This guide cuts through the clutter, explaining what to look for when you buy frozen prawns online. We’ll break down the different types available and offer some practical recommendations to help you choose with confidence.

Your Guide to Choosing Frozen Prawns

Before adding a pack to your basket, a little knowledge goes a long way. Here are a few key points to consider that will help you select the perfect prawns for your dish.

1. Understanding Prawn Sizing and Preparation

The numbers on a pack of prawns, such as 20/30 or 6/8, refer to the count per kilogram or pound. A smaller number means larger prawns. For example, a pack labelled 6/8 contains 6 to 8 jumbo king prawns per unit of weight, whereas a 20/30 pack will have more, smaller prawns.

You also have a choice in preparation:

• Head On Shell On (HOSO): These raw king prawns offer the most flavour. The heads and shells are excellent for making a rich, flavourful stock or sauce, infusing your entire dish with a deep seafood taste. They require more prep work but the results are often worth it.
• Headless Shell On (HLSO): A good middle ground. The head is removed, but the shell remains to protect the delicate meat during cooking, keeping it juicy. Many of these are available as easy peel prawns, which have a slit down the back for simpler de-shelling.
• Peeled & Deveined (P&D): For ultimate convenience, peeled king prawns are ready to cook. "Deveined" means the digestive tract (the dark line along the back) has been removed. These are ideal for quick meals like curries, pasta or salads.

2. The Benefit of IQF Prawns

You will often see the term IQF prawns on packaging. This stands for Individually Quick Frozen. This process freezes each prawn separately, rather than in a solid block. The benefits are significant for the home cook: you can easily take out the exact number of prawns you need without having to defrost the entire bag, which helps reduce waste and makes portion control simple. It also helps preserve the texture and quality of the prawns.

3. Raw vs. Pre-Cooked

This guide focuses on uncooked prawns (raw) because of their versatility. Raw prawns absorb marinades and seasonings beautifully and can be cooked to the perfect texture for your specific recipe, whether you're making prawns for curry, grilling them on the barbecue or adding them to a risotto. Pre-cooked prawns are great for cold dishes like prawn cocktails but can become rubbery if reheated.

Recommended Frozen King Prawn Products

Here are a few options from our catalogue, selected to suit different cooking styles and preferences.

ECUAGOLD Frozen Head On Shell On Raw Prawns 1Kg

• Why It Stands Out: These head on prawns are for the cook who wants maximum flavour. Sourced from Ecuador, these white shrimps are prized for their sweet, delicate taste. The head-on, shell-on format is what chefs often prefer, as it locks in moisture and provides the base for intensely flavourful stocks and bisques.
• Pros:
  • Maximum Flavour: The heads and shells are perfect for creating rich sauces.
  • Generous Size: Sized at XL-20/30, these are substantial prawns.
  • Bulk Pack: The frozen prawns 1kg bag is great for stocking the freezer.
• Who is it for? Gourmet home cooks and anyone making a special-occasion dish like paella, seafood linguine or a traditional bisque where a deep seafood flavour is essential.

Aquahawk IQF Raw Peeled & Deveined King Prawns 350g

• Why It Stands Out: This product is all about convenience. These peeled king prawns are also deveined and have their tails off, meaning there is zero prep work required. You can add them straight from the pack (after defrosting) into your pan for a quick and easy meal.
• Pros:
  • Ready to Cook: No peeling or deveining needed, saving significant time.
  • IQF Format: Easy to portion out exactly what you need.
  • Versatile: Perfect for weeknight stir-fries, curries and pasta dishes.
• Who is it for? Busy individuals and families who value convenience but don't want to compromise on adding quality protein to their meals.

Seahawk IQF Headless Shell On Ezy Peel King Prawns 400g

• Why It Stands Out: These large frozen prawns offer a fantastic balance of flavour and convenience. As headless shell on prawns, they retain more moisture and taste during cooking than fully peeled varieties. The "Ezy Peel" feature means they have been split down the back, making the shell simple to remove after cooking.
• Pros:
  • Excellent Flavour Retention: The shell protects the prawn meat, keeping it succulent.
  • Jumbo Size: Sized at 6/8, these are impressively large prawns, ideal for grilling or as a centrepiece.
  • Easy to Prep: The "Ezy Peel" cut simplifies the de-shelling process.
• Who is it for? Cooks who appreciate the enhanced flavour of shell-on cooking but want a little help with the preparation. A great choice for barbecues, garlic prawns or any dish where the prawns are the star.

Looking for Other Options?

If these specific types of prawns aren't quite what you're looking for, or if you're interested in other seafood like scallops, squid or fish fillets, there are many more choices available.

Explore our full range of quality frozen seafood to find the perfect ingredient for your next meal.Browse the Seafood Category

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to defrost frozen prawns?

For the best texture, place the frozen prawns in a colander and put the colander in a bowl. Cover and leave in the refrigerator overnight. For a quicker method, you can place the prawns in a sealed bag and submerge them in a bowl of cold water for about 20-30 minutes, changing the water once. Avoid using warm water or a microwave, as this can start to cook the prawns and affect their final texture.

Can I cook frozen king prawns from frozen?

Yes, you can cook many types of IQF prawns directly from frozen, which is particularly useful for dishes like soups, curries or stews where they will be simmering in liquid. For best results, follow the preparation instructions on the packaging. For methods like pan-frying or grilling, it is generally better to thaw them first to ensure even cooking.

What does the glaze on frozen prawns mean?

The glaze is a thin layer of protective ice applied to each prawn. It helps prevent freezer burn and protects the quality and texture of the prawn during storage. The net weight listed on the packaging (e.g., 350g net) refers to the weight of the prawns without the glaze, so you know exactly how much seafood you are paying for.